Five Questions with Toshami Calvin

Toshami Calvin’s performance in the 71st Miss Universe preliminary swimsuit, gown and national costume competitions is much to be talked about. The St Thomas-native is winning hearts as she carves her name on the international platform. Out of a total of 86 delegates participating in the pageant, Calvin is one of 12 Caribbean women working to make a notable impression on the judges in hopes that it will secure their chances of taking home the crown. While committed to representing Jamaica well, and applying all she has learnt in the 16 weeks of training leading to the Miss Universe competition, the 26-year-old registered behavioural technician and advocate for autism awareness is extremely focused on using her title to make a major impact. And she is doing so gracefully and purposefully.

In the newest addition to the preliminary swimsuit competition, Calvin strutted elegantly in a cape she co-designed with Jamaican designer and artist Zaid Smith, on which she creatively inserted part of our island’s motto ‘Out of Many’ and spread the message of autistic pride. The pageant queen does not take her status as a public figure lightly and she has been able to bring greater awareness to the cause by interacting with the children – and families of children – on the autism spectrum.

Losing her father as a teenager has definitely left a mark on Calvin. She spoke about dealing with loss, her wins, advocacy work and expectations in this week’s Five Questions.

How do you feel following the preliminary swimsuit, gown and costume segments of the competition?

It was such a surreal experience. The best part of the night was unveiling the cape in the swimsuit section that highlighted my passion for autism and I’m feeling inspired, motivated and prepared for the final night. I plan to exude Nanny’s boldness, confidence, and fierceness as I represent Jamaica on the world stage on Saturday.

Do you have expectations of the pageant or of how your performance will be judged?

I do have expectations … but for myself. I don’t want my expectations to overshadow the overall experience. I want to set realistic goals and to also be present. I am just here giving it my absolute all.

How has the memory of your father and his passing played a role in the way you carry yourself and push yourself throughout your journey to the crown?

I was speaking about different memories from my childhood for my Journey to the Crown documentary which was recently aired on local television earlier this week and a relative of mine shared a photograph of my father and I, and immediately I became emotional. I was in the ninth grade, living overseas at the time, when he had fallen ill and was in the hospital. I wanted to come back and visit but my mother could not afford the trip. I had spent the summer [in Jamaica] before that. I had to go through the motions.

One memory I hold close to my heart is of my eighth or ninth birthday party, he was late to arrive and when he came, I asked him where my gift was and he looked at me and said ‘My love is my gift to you.’ I cry every birthday because of that memory. At that age, I would not have appreciated it so much, because it was not something tangible but I learnt over the years, what he meant and all the love he gave has made me who I am.

As a behavioural technician, what are some of the goals you have set for yourself and envision for your future?

Well, I started to apply my studies in behavioural therapy about a year ago, working at an autism centre, conducting one-on-one sessions where I was very involved in getting children potty-trained. I also worked with one child at a time, teaching them independent life skills to make them more self-sufficient. It was an enlightening experience. My plans are to further these studies, to earn a master’s degree in applied behaviour analysis in order to expand [and] to potentially hire persons to working alongside me because I can only do so much in my current position and I want to be able to help more children and their families. Maybe in the future if I can establish a school or centre of my own, then I will.

What message do you give women, mothers of children with special needs who feel incompetent or disheartened?

Firstly, I always emphasise that everyone is uniquely made. Those differences, big or small, are what makes you, you, and sometimes with a child who has special needs, or is diagnosed with autism, mothers, and parents in general, get a bit discouraged because they do not display the typical or regular characteristics. Often times persons think their child will not have the same milestones but the key is to find the beauty in the small accomplishments and the little steps. Keep doing what you feel is necessary and [is] best for your child because nobody knows your child better than you do and nobody is going to love your child the way you do. Make them know they are beautiful by embracing and loving them.

Brawta: You’re in New Orleans, so you must try something new, what are you most interested to try?

Well, I love food and I want to try everything, except their seafood dishes. I come from a family that does not consume shellfish but give me anything spicy, and New Orleans cuisine is filled with spice.

The 71st Miss Universe finals will be held on Saturday, January 14, in New Orleans, USA, where Harnaaz Sandhu of India will crown her successor at the end of the event.

stephanie.lyew@gleanerjm.com